Reading have just made another signing in Benn Ward. The Accrington Stanley defender comes in at 6ft 2 and is a young centre-back who has performed very well this season. Having played 48 appearances for Accrington Stanley and scored
three goals, the former Brighton & Hove Albion youth player is looking to slot straight into the side.
In terms of the last game, Reading managed a 2-2 draw with Barnsley. Going into the match, that would have been a good result. Coming out of it, we probably should’ve won it, having had the most possession, shots and shots on target. However, some poor defensive play meant two goals, which could’ve been easily stopped, went in.
New signing Hayden Roberts started (like I predicted) and then scored! It was a tap-in but very good positional play from the newbie. Jack Marriott then scored the equaliser and the game ended 2-2.
The Grecians beat Port Vale 3-1 in their last game. Jayden Wareham was on the scoresheet again, showing that he really is ‘him’ at Exeter. Also on the scoresheet were Carlos Mendes and Timor Tuterov for Exeter and Cameron Humphries for Port Vale.
In the head-to-head, in the 21st century, the Royals are in pole for this one: three victories, two draws and one loss, including a 9-0 win a few years ago. However, the points were shared last time out with Wareham and Marriott on the scoresheet in what turned out to be quite a boring game.
In this preview I will compare strikers and see if Reading improved or lost out on the sale of Wareham, and I will give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 27
Season? 2025/26
Who? Exeter City
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Tuesday January 27
Time? 20:00
Opposition manager? Gary Caldwell
Jack or Jayden?
Both strikers have their own qualities, but they’re very similar. They are poachers.
Marriott likes to run the channel in between the centre-backs and works very well as a lone striker. He sits very well with someone like Kamari Doyle behind him.
He also has enough pace to get in behind the back line, and when in behind he has the strength to palm off the defender and get a shot off at goal. A Marriott-style goal is one that Estevao scored for Chelsea this weekend: a loose ball and he just runs and runs, around the goalkeeper, slotting it into the net.
Wareham is very similar in that he has the pace and strength to hold off the defender when through on goal. However, he works better in a two-striker formation, being the one that is slightly higher.
He runs in the channel between the centre-back and the full-back and finds his space there. This is why him playing in a two-striker formation is beneficial.
Comparing them stats-wise, in 26 matches Wareham has scored 10 goals and registered one assist. Marriott has 10 goals and three assists in 16 games. So, percentage-wise Marriott is a little better, and he was injured for two months. He has come back the same as he was before, which is a bonus for the Royals.
In terms of who I would prefer, I think Marriott suits our system better, but having them both in a 4-4-2 would be amazing.
My lineup
Joel Pereira will start in goal.
The defence will be Ryan Nyambe, Paudie O’Connor, Finley Burns and Roberts.
The midfield will be Liam Fraser, Lewis Wing and Doyle.
The attack will be Paddy Lane, Marriott and Daniel Kyerewaa.
Score prediction: 2-1 Royals!
Good luck to those going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
